Apparatus for handling lids and charging coal into coke ovens

ABSTRACT

A larry car carrying a vertically movable lid lifting device is positionable over a row of charging lids on a coke oven. Fluid actuated cylinders actuate the pivoting cooperative lifting arms that grasp and raise a lid so that coal, moving by means of a screw feeder, flows through a closed conduit into the coking chamber. The apparatus is actuated then to replace and seat the lid.

11 3,709,387 Jan. 9, 1973 United States Patent [191 Kinzler et al. I

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,142,391 7/1964 Tweit [54]APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LIDS AND CHARGING COAL INTO COKE OVENS [76]Inventors: Raymond C. Kinzler; Albert G. Jon- .214/18 PH both of pp p y,m 3,536,205 10/1970 Bender.........,................2l4/18 PH X KoppersBuilding, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 Primary Examiner-Robert G. SheridanAttorney-Sherman J. Barber et a].

June 24, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT A larry car carrying a vertically movablelid lifting device is positionable over a row of charging lids ona 21Appl. No.: 156,445

coke oven. Fluid actuated cylinders actuate the pivoting cooperativelifting arms that grasp and raise a lid so that coal, moving by means ofa screw feeder, flows through a closed conduit into the coking chamber.The apparatus is actuated then to replace and seat the lid.

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7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAM 9 I975 3,709,387

SHEET 2 0F 4 INVENTORS RHYMOND a. K/A/ZLER t ALBERT 6. JONNET s/w xqPATENTEDJAH 9 I875 SHEET 4 [1F 4 FIG. 6

INVENTORS RAYMOND c. K/NZ'LER d BY ALBERT a. JONNET APPARATUS FORHANDLING LIDS AND CHARGING COAL INTO COKE OVENS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION which were generated in the oven chamber when the [0 fresh carcontacted the hot oven walls was discharged to the atmosphere. But,nowadays, there are more stringent anti-pollution regulations thatrestrict the discharge of such gases to the atmosphere.

Numerous devices have been proposed in the prior art for collecting andhandling the gases generated in a coke oven chamber during the coalcharging process, but none of these has proved to be entirelysatisfactory since they did not adequately prevent gas emissions.

In contrast to the foregoing prior art devices, the apparatus of thepresent invention is unique and unobvious and is adapted to handle cokeoven lids and to prevent the discharge of gases to the atmosphere in ahighly efficient manner when coal is charged through the apparatus intoa coking chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improved mechanism for handling lids and forcharging coal into a coke oven chamber includes a first tube fixedvertically to a larry car and a movable second tube disposed coaxiallywith the first tube. A movable third tube is disposed coaxially withinthe second tube and means is provided for moving the second tuberelative to and into sealing engagement with the first fixed tube.

A movable tubular drop sleeve assembly surrounds the fixed first tubeand, when the drop sleeve is lowered onto the coke oven, the drop sleeveforms a gas tight seal with both the first tube and the coke ovenbattery.

Means is provided for moving the third tube relative to the second tubeand also into contact with a lid; a pair of movable fingers beingmovable to grasp the lid and lift it off the coke oven.

When the third tube is raised, a screw conveyor moves coal into a hopperforming a portion of the fixed first tube and coal charges into the cokeoven.

Upon replacing the lid, the third tube is oscillated about a verticalaxis to seat the lid in the coal charging hole.

For a further understanding of the invention and for features andadvantages thereof, references may be made to the following descriptionand the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of equipment inaccordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is an elevational view, partly in section of apparatus inaccordance with the invention showing it in one operative position;

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to that of FIG. I, but showing only a portionofit in another operative position;

FIG, 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the apparatus in a thirdposition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. I, showing the apparatus in a fourthoperative position;

FIG. 5 is a view of other apparatus associated with that ofFIG. l; and IFIG. 6 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, showing it in anotheroperative position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates apparatus 11 in accordance withthe invention and it also illustrates the apparatus in one operativeposition. The apparatus 11 comprises generally: a frame 13 that includesa pair of upright opposed tee-bar members 15 that are each fixedvertically to a larry car 16 at locations thereon which are insubstantial alignment with the charging holes of a coke oven chamber;the tee-bar members 15 are connected together at the top by a crossmember 17 which, as shown in FIG. 1, is an I-beam, but which may be anysuitable structural shape. The cross member 17 carries a pair of pulleysupports 19, 21 and pulleys 23, 25'journaled to these supports.

Each pulley 23, 25 cooperates with a wire rope 27, 29 that is connectedat one end to a counterweight 31, 33 and at the other end to atransversely extending bar 35 having slots 37, 39 in the ends thereofthrough which pass the upright tee-bar members 15, and the bar 35 alsohas a central passage 41.

Each counterweight 31, 33 is surrounded by and reciprocates in, a tube43, 45 which is fixed to the body structure of the larry car 16 the'counterweights are thereby guided in vertical movement only.

The cross member 17 supports a cylinder-piston 47 assembly, having apiston rod 49, which is provided with trunnions 51 that are journaled inbearings 53 mounted to the cross member 17 as shown. The piston rod 49is pivotally connected, as at 55, to a transverse plate 57, as shown inFIG. 1.

The transverse plate 57 is also connected, adjacent its ends, to a pairof guide rods 59, 61 which extend upwardly and freely through holes 63,65 in the bar 35; the holes 63, 65 being slightly larger in diameterthan the guide rods 59, 61. Nuts and washers 67 disposed on the ends ofthe rods 59, 61 provide engagement with the bar 35 in the manner and forthe purpose described hereinafter.

The transverse plate 57 carries a cylindrical lid tube 69 which is theinnermost tube of three concentric, spaced-apart tubes 69, 71, 73. Theintermediateseal tube 71 is secured at its top edge to a flange 75 whichis bolted, or otherwise suitably fastened to a transverse plate 77, thatis similar to the transverse bar 35 in that the plate 77 has end slots79, 81 in which the vertically extending tee-bars are located.

The intermediary seal-tube 71. is provided with spacedapart annularrings 83, 85 that guide the inner or lid tube 69 as it moves verticallyas described hereinafter.

The intermediary seal tube 7Iis likewise guided during verticalmovement, as hereinafter described, by an annular ring 87 mounted to thefixed outer tube 73. Adjacent the bottom of the fixed outer tube 73,there is an annular ring seat 89 which has a bevelled upper edge 91against which the lower edge of the intermediary seal tube 71 abuts andforms a seal. The fixed outer tube 73 is secured to the lower end of thevertically ex- The fixed outer tube 73 is provided with a coal hopper 95having an upwardly and outwardly sloping side wall, as shown, and a top97. Coal is fed into the hopper 95 by means of a screw conveyor 98 whichis a conventional apparatus, or it may be fed into the hopper 95 in anyother known manner.

In spaced-apart, and free relation to the lower end of the fixed outertube 73 there is a drop sleeve assembly 99 which includes threecooperative members: a drop ring 101; a collar 103; and a floatingannular ring seal 105.

The drop ring 101 is shaped in cross section about as shown in FIG. 1,having a flat, flanged bottom 107 that is adapted to contact and form aseal with the top surface of the charging hole frame 163, and that isdisposed in spaced apart relation to each charging hole 111. The upperportion 113 of the drop ring 101 is flared, as shown, so that itcooperates with the inwardly directed portion 115 of the collar 103.

The collar 103 has a downwardly sloping top 114, with a large centralopening 116; the inner edge of the opening 116 being engageable with aseal ring 117 welded about where shown to the lower end of the fixedouter tube 73.

Within the collar 103 there is disposed the annular seal ring 105 whichis so sized that its lower surface contacts and forms a seal with theupper edges 119 of the drop ring, while the outer perimetrical edgeforms a seal with the inner surface of the collar 103.

The transverse plate 57 carries in suspended fashion a platform 121which is disposed within the innermost or lid tube 69, about as shown inFIG. 1. Mounted to the platform 121 is an hydraulic rotary actuator 123,of the type which is marketed by Ex-Cell-O Corp., Greenville, Ohio underthe trademark ROTAC. Those skilled in the art will understand that anyother suitable rotary actuator may be used if preferred.

The ROTAC actuator carries in suspended fashion a cylinder-pistonassembly 125 and piston rod 127 to which is connected a clevis 129. Thepiston rod 127 is disposed to reciprocate vertically in a guide 131mounted to the innermost lid tube 69, about where shown in FIGS. land 2.

The clevis 129 carries a transversely extending pin 133 which coacts inslots 135, 137 in the upper end portion of each of a pair of lifter arms139, 141. The lifter arms are pivotable about a shaft 143 mountedtransversely in the lower end of the innermost lid tube 69.

Each lifter arm 139, 141 is provided at its lower end with a slottedbottom 145, 147 that coacts with the upstanding round Tee'head portion149 of a charging hole lid 151.

The bottom edge of the innermost or lid tube 69 is serrated about asshown at 153 in FIG. 2, and the serrations 153 coact with a single lug155 which is welded to the upper surface of the charging hole lid 151 insuch a location that it will fit into one of the serrations 153.

It will be noted that the lid lifter apparatus 11 is intended to be usedwith a lid 151 like that shown in FIG. 2, which is a circular steelplate having a cylindrical peripheral surface 157. A beveled edge is notprovided on the lid, but such an edge is provided on a lid seat 163 setinto the top of the coke oven battery.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an apparatus 165 for raising and lowering thedrop sleeve assembly 99. The apparatus comprises generally linkages anda fluid actuated. cylinder-piston assembly 167.

A pair of parallel outer compensator arms 169, 171 are pivotallyconnected at 173 to the collar 103-, about where shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,and to lugs 175 as by pivot pins 177.

Another pair of inner drop-sleeve arms 179, 181, having the shape ofbellcranks, are pivoted as at 183 to lugs 185, and to the collar 103, asat pivot pins 187.

It will be noted from FIG. 5 that the distance between pivot pins 183,187 is equal to the distance between pivot pins 173, 177, and that thearms 179, 181 are parallel to the arms 169, 171. In fact, the distancebetween pins 173, 187 is equal to the distance between pins 177, 183.Thus, the arms 169, 171 and 179, 181 form the parallel sides of aparallelogram.

The bell cranks 179, 181 are connected to a link 189 which is itselfsecured to a crank 191 mounted to a shaft 193 that is journaled tosupports 195 mounted to the larry car 16. Adjacent one end of the shaft193 is another crank 197 which is connected to the piston rod portion ofthe cylinder-piston assembly 167; the cylinder-piston assembly 167 beingpivotally mounted as at 199 to adjacent fixed structure 201 on the larrycar 16.

Now, FIG. 1 represents the traveling position of the lid lifterapparatus 11 which has just been spotted above the charging hole lid151. The larry car 16 which carries the apparatus 11, should be spottedwithin a preselected maximum allowable tolerance of the exact centerlineof the coke oven chamber to be charged.

The pneumatic cylinder-piston 167 is actuated to pivot the bell cranks179, 181 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5. Movement of the bellcranks in this direction, lowers the drop sleeve assembly intoengagement with the top of the coke oven chamber, as shown in FIG. 4.After the drop ring 101 engages the oven chamber, the collar 103continues downward until the peripheral edge of the sloping top 114engages and seats on the seal ring 117. The internal floating ring sealthen engages the upper edge 119 and forms a seal with it as well as aseal with the inner wall of the collar, as shown in FIG. 4.

It should be noted that the seal tube 71 moves downward also, and thelower end of it engages the beveled surface 91 of the ring seat 89 andforms a seal with that surface. The seal tube 71 then is in position, asshown in FIG. 1, while the drop sleeve assembly is being lowered.

Thereupon, the cylinder-piston assembly 47 is actuated so that the rod49, the lid tube 69 and the mechanism attached to the transverse plate57 move downward. The lid tube 69 engages the top surface 159 of the lid151; the lug 155 coacting with one of the serratious 153. In the downposition (the lid tube being in contact with the lid), the lid lifterarms are open and in the position shown in FIG. 2.

Cylinder-piston assembly 125 is then extended and the pin 133 coactswith the slots 135, 137 and pivots the lid lifting arms about the fixedpin 143 to the closed position, shown in FIG. 3, in which they surroundthe tee-head 149.

Cylinder-piston assembly 47 is thereupon actuated to raise the lid tubeand the lid. During the upward move ment, the transverse plate 57engages the other transverse plate 77 and the seal tube is thereafterraised vertically also.

It should be noted that when the lid tube is urged downward, thecounterweights 31, 33 move upward within their respective guide tubes43, 45. So, too, when the lid tube and the seal tube move upwardly, thecounterweights move downwardly.

The transverse-bar 35, which moves upwardly along with the lid tube 69and seal tube 73, contacts a pair of stops 203, 205 that are suitablyfastened to the vertical tee-bar members 15, 13 about where shown inFIG. 1. Contact with these stops arrests the downward move ment of thecounterweights, but the tubes 69, 71 continue to rise until they reachthe position shown in FIG. 4 with the lower ends of the tube 71 abovethe screw conveyor 98.

As soon as the mechanism has stopped its upward movements, the screwconveyor 98 is actuated so that coal discharges into the hopper 95. [tthen flows through the tube 73 and drop sleeve arrangement 99 andgravitates into the coke oven chamber.

Gases which evolve before, during and after the charging process cannotescape to the atmosphere because of the seal provided at surface 91 inthe seal tube arrangement and because of the close tolerance between thering seal 105 and the drop ring 101 and the collar 103.

After charging is completed, the cylinder-piston assembly 47 is extendeduntil the seal tube contacts and makes a seal with the beveled edge ofthe ring seat. This seals against smoke issuing into the hopper andscrew trough, and also prevents any loose coal from running out of thedischarge spout.

The cylinder-piston assembly 47 extends further until the lid contactsthe charging hole and the lid tube contacts the lid. Thereafter, therotary actuator, ROTAC, is activated to oscillate the lid tube and thelid about the vertical axis of the lid tube; the oscillatory actionbeing confined to an arc of about 30.

Thereupon, the cylinder-piston 125 is again actuated to move the clevisand pin 129, 133 downward, thereby opening the lifter arms. Themechanism may now be raised and made ready for movement to another ovento be charged.

This is accomplished by activating the cylinderpiston 47 which resultsin raising the lid tube and the apparatus connected to the transverseplate 57. Simultaneously, or nearly so, the mechanism 165 must beactivated to raise the drop sleeve arrangement to the up position shownin FIG. 1.

it should be noted that the counterweights hold the lid tube and themechanism attached to the transverse plate 57 in the up or travelposition.

It is customary to move the larry car to the next coke oven chamber thatis to be charged and to be dampered off. After the larry car is spottedat the oven, cylinderpiston assembly 47 is activated, thereby extendingthe piston rod 49. The lid tube again contacts a lid and thecylinder-piston arrangement 125 is activated. The piston rod 127 isextended and the lifting fingers are brought into engagement with theTee-head on the lid.

Now then, the cylinder-piston assembly 47 is activated to raise the lidtube and the lid to the travel position. The larry car next moves to thecoal bin and, after receiving a supply of coal, it returns to the ovento be charged. The other charging hole lids are removed in the mannerdescribed hereinbefore and the oven is charged as described.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognizenumerous features and advantages among which the most significant are:

That the lid lifter unit is easily replaceable when it is desirable ornecessary to do this. Only the bolts holding the tee-members to thelarry car need to be removed and the entire lid lifter assembly may bequickly removed. A new or repaired lid lifter unit can be as quicklyinstalled:

That the lid lifter assembly has effective seals that prevent smoke anddust from being emitted to the atmosphere;

That the lid lifter assembly is readily adaptable for use on anyconventional type of coal charging larry car having either a screw feed,gravity feed, or turntable feed system;

That the assembly may be adapted for use with either a mechanical typeof lid engagement apparatus, like that shown and described, or amagnetic lid lifting apparatus of a known type;

That the oscillation of the lid is due to a positive mechanicalengagement of lid and lid tube, but it may be modified to accommodateany other type of oscillating apparatus, such as a saw blade that isassociated with a magnetic lifter; and

That the several cylinder-piston assemblies may be activated by eitherair, hydraulic fluid, or they may be electrically operated cylinders.

' Although the invention has been described herein with a certain degreeof particularity it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only as an example and that the scope of the invention is definedby what is hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coke oven battery having; a larry car and a lid on a coalcharging hole of a coking chamber of said battery, the improvedmechanism for handling such lid and charging coal into said chambercomprising:

a. a vertically aligned frame fixed to said larry car;

b. a first tube fixed vertically to said frame and positionabie invertical alignment with said charging hole, said first tube carrying aninternal sealing ring and an external sealing ring;

c. a movable second tube disposed in coaxial,

spaced-apart relation to and within said first tube;

d. a movable third tube disposed in coaxial, spacedapart relation to andwithin said second tube;

e. first means for moving said second tube relative to and into sealingrelation with said internal sealing ring;

f. a movable tubular assembly disposed coaxially with and surroundingsaid first tube;

g. second means for bringing said tubular assembly into contact withsaid coke oven battery and surrounding relation to said lid, saidtubular assembly making a sealing engagement with said external sealingring;

h. third means for moving said third tube relative to said second tubeand into contact with said lid;

. fourth means associated with said third tube for engaging and graspingsaid lid;

. fifth means for activating said fourth means and raising said lid fromsaid charging hole;

. a hopper mounted to and communicating with interior of said firsttube; and

. means for moving coal into said hopper whereby it gravitates into saidcoking chamber.

. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a lug on said lid; and

. means on said third tube engageable with said lug;

and

. means for oscillating said third tube about its vertical axis and alsofor oscillating said lid.

. The apparatus of claim 1 including: spacers mounted internally of saidsecond tube for guiding said third tube as it moves relative to saidsecond tube; and

. a spacer mounted internally of said first tube for guiding said secondtube as it moves relative to said first tube.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movable tubular assemblycomprises:

a. a first tubular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube inspaced-apart relation;

21 second tubular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube andspaced apart from said first tubular ring, one portion of said firsttubular ring being cooperative with a surface portion of said secondtubular ring; and

. an annular ring concentrically surrounding said 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said second means includes:

a. a plurality of levers pivotally mounted to said tubular assembly andto adjacent structure of said larry car;

. a fluid activated cylinder-piston assembly pivotally mounted to saidlarry car; and

. linkage means connecting said levers and a pistonrod of said cylinderpiston assembly whereby when said cylinder piston is actuated, saidlevers and linkage means raise and lower said tubular assembly relativeto said first tube.

6. In a coke oven battery having a larry car and a lid on a coalcharging hole of a coking chamber of said battery, the improvedmechanism for handling such lid and charging coal into said chambercomprising:

a vertically aligned frame fixed to said larry car;

. a first tube fixed vertically to said frame and positionable invertical alignment with said charging hole, said first tube carrying aninternal sealing ring and an external sealing ring;

a movable second tube disposed in coaxial, spaccd-apart relation to andwithin said first tube,

. a movable third tube disposed in coaxial, spacedapart relation to andwithin said second tube;

. a first cylinder-piston assembly having a piston rod connected to saidthird tube for moving it into engagement with said lid;

f. a lug on said lid;

g. serrations on the end of said third tube that are engageable withsaid lug for oscillating said lid when said third tube oscillates;

h. means for oscillating said third tube about its vertical axis;

i. means for moving axially said second tube into sealing engagementwith said internal sealing ring;

j. a pair of lifter arms pivotally mounted within said third tube thatare adapted to engage and hold said lid and raise said lid when saidthird tube moves axially, each lifter arm having an elongate slot ineach arm that cooperates with a pin in a clevis secured to a piston rod;

k. said piston rod being coactive with a second cylinder-piston assemblyso that, when the second cylinder-piston assembly is actuated, saidlifter arms are pivotable for grasping and releasing said lid;

1. a first tubular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube inspaced-apart relation;

m. a second tubular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube andspaced apart from said first tubular ring, one portion of said firsttubular ring being cooperative with a surface portion of said secondtubular ring;

n. an annular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube and beingdisposed freely within said second tubular ring, said annular ring beingengageable with said first tubular ring and being disposed closelyadjacent said second tubular ring and forming seals therewith when saidfirst tubular ring is in contact with said coke oven;

0. a plurality of levers pivotally mounted to said tubular assembly andto adjacent structure of said larry car;

p. a fluid actuated cylinder-piston assembly pivotally mounted to saidlarry car;

q. linkage means connecting said levers and a piston rod of saidcylinder-piston assembly whereby, when said cylinder-piston assembly isactuated, said levers and linkage means raise and lower said tubularassembly relative to said first tube;

r. a hopper mounted to and communicating with said first tube; and

s. screw conveyor means for moving coal into said hopper and into saidfirst tube so that said coal gravitates into said coking chamber aftersaid lid has been raised.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein:

a. said means for moving axially said second tube includes: i. a firsttransverse member having an opening therein which is secured to theupper end of said second tube with the opening being coaxial with saidsecond tube,

means on said transverse member cooperating with said frame for guidingsaid second tube as it reciprocates vertically;

iii. a second transverse member secured to said frame and carrying apair of spacedapart pulleys;

iv. flexible means looped over said pulleys with one end of eachflexible means being connected to a third transverse member that issecured to said first transverse member and with the other end of eachflexible means being connected to a counterweight, and

. a fourth transverse member connected to said zg gy UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. I J ated January 9,1973 Inventor) Raymond C. Kinzler and AlbertG. Jonnet It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent v and that saidLetters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

c The nameand address of the Assigrlee should b printed on the face ofthe patent as shown below;

7 Assignee: Koppers Company; 1110 a corporatioh of Delaware Signed 'andsealed this 24th day of September 1974,

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting' Officer c. MARSHALLDANN Commissioner ofPatents

1. In a coke oven battery having a larry car and a lid on a coalcharging hole of a coking chamber of said battery, the improvedmechanism for handling such lid and charging coal into said chambercomprising: a. a vertically aligned frame fixed to said larry car; b. afirst tube fixed vertically to said frame and positionable in verticalalignment with said charging hole, said first tube carrying an internalsealing ring and an external sealing ring; c. a movable second tubedisposed in coaxial, spaced-apart relation to and within said firsttube; d. a movable third tube disposed in coaxial, spaced-apart relationto and within said second tube; e. first means for moving said secondtube relative to and into sealing relation with said internal sealingring; f. a movable tubular assembly disposed coaxially with andsurrounding said first tube; g. second means for bringing said tubularassembly into contact with said coke oven battery and surroundingrelation to said lid, said tubular assembly making a sealing engagementwith said external sealing ring; h. third means for moving said thiRdtube relative to said second tube and into contact with said lid; i.fourth means associated with said third tube for engaging and graspingsaid lid; j. fifth means for activating said fourth means and raisingsaid lid from said charging hole; k. a hopper mounted to andcommunicating with interior of said first tube; and l. means for movingcoal into said hopper whereby it gravitates into said coking chamber. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 including: a. a lug on said lid; and b. meanson said third tube engageable with said lug; and c. means foroscillating said third tube about its vertical axis and also foroscillating said lid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including: a. spacersmounted internally of said second tube for guiding said third tube as itmoves relative to said second tube; and b. a spacer mounted internallyof said first tube for guiding said second tube as it moves relative tosaid first tube.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movabletubular assembly comprises: a. a first tubular ring concentricallysurrounding said first tube in spaced-apart relation; b. a secondtubular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube and spaced apartfrom said first tubular ring, one portion of said first tubular ringbeing cooperative with a surface portion of said second tubular ring;and c. an annular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube andbeing disposed freely within second tubular ring, said annular ringbeing engageable with said first tubular ring and being disposed closelyadjacent said second tubular ring and forming seals therewith when saidfirst tubular ring is in contact with said coke oven.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said second means includes: a. a plurality of leverspivotally mounted to said tubular assembly and to adjacent structure ofsaid larry car; b. a fluid activated cylinder-piston assembly pivotallymounted to said larry car; and c. linkage means connecting said leversand a piston-rod of said cylinder piston assembly whereby when saidcylinder piston is actuated, said levers and linkage means raise andlower said tubular assembly relative to said first tube.
 6. In a cokeoven battery having a larry car and a lid on a coal charging hole of acoking chamber of said battery, the improved mechanism for handling suchlid and charging coal into said chamber comprising: a. a verticallyaligned frame fixed to said larry car; b. a first tube fixed verticallyto said frame and positionable in vertical alignment with said charginghole, said first tube carrying an internal sealing ring and an externalsealing ring; c. a movable second tube disposed in coaxial, spaced-apartrelation to and within said first tube; d. a movable third tube disposedin coaxial, spaced-apart relation to and within said second tube; e. afirst cylinder-piston assembly having a piston rod connected to saidthird tube for moving it into engagement with said lid; f. a lug on saidlid; g. serrations on the end of said third tube that are engageablewith said lug for oscillating said lid when said third tube oscillates;h. means for oscillating said third tube about its vertical axis; i.means for moving axially said second tube into sealing engagement withsaid internal sealing ring; j. a pair of lifter arms pivotally mountedwithin said third tube that are adapted to engage and hold said lid andraise said lid when said third tube moves axially, each lifter armhaving an elongate slot in each arm that cooperates with a pin in aclevis secured to a piston rod; k. said piston rod being coactive with asecond cylinder-piston assembly so that, when the second cylinder-pistonassembly is actuated, said lifter arms are pivotable for grasping andreleasing said lid; l. a first tubular ring concentrically surroundingsaid first tube in spaced-apart relation; m. a second tubular ringconcentrically sUrrounding said first tube and spaced apart from saidfirst tubular ring, one portion of said first tubular ring beingcooperative with a surface portion of said second tubular ring; n. anannular ring concentrically surrounding said first tube and beingdisposed freely within said second tubular ring, said annular ring beingengageable with said first tubular ring and being disposed closelyadjacent said second tubular ring and forming seals therewith when saidfirst tubular ring is in contact with said coke oven; o. a plurality oflevers pivotally mounted to said tubular assembly and to adjacentstructure of said larry car; p. a fluid actuated cylinder-pistonassembly pivotally mounted to said larry car; q. linkage meansconnecting said levers and a piston rod of said cylinder-piston assemblywhereby, when said cylinder-piston assembly is actuated, said levers andlinkage means raise and lower said tubular assembly relative to saidfirst tube; r. a hopper mounted to and communicating with said firsttube; and s. screw conveyor means for moving coal into said hopper andinto said first tube so that said coal gravitates into said cokingchamber after said lid has been raised.
 7. The structure of claim 6wherein: a. said means for moving axially said second tube includes: i.a first transverse member having an opening therein which is secured tothe upper end of said second tube with the opening being coaxial withsaid second tube, ii. means on said transverse member cooperating withsaid frame for guiding said second tube as it reciprocates vertically;iii. a second transverse member secured to said frame and carrying apair of spaced-apart pulleys; iv. flexible means looped over saidpulleys with one end of each flexible means being connected to a thirdtransverse member that is secured to said first transverse member andwith the other end of each flexible means being connected to acounterweight, and v. a fourth transverse member connected to said thirdtube and to said piston rod of said first cylinder-piston assembly, saidfourth transverse member being engageable with said first transversemember as said fourth moves vertically and thereby axially moving saidsecond tube.